City of San Jose City Council Councilmember Maya Esparza

Running against an incumbent, Maya Esparza won her campaign to represent District 7 in 2018. The district, just southeast of downtown San Jose, includes such landmarks as Kelley Park and the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. Esparza says of District 7 residents, “We come from all walks of life, speak many different languages, and embrace a wide variety of cultural traditions. We recognize that our diversity is our strength, and we share a common goal of creating and maintaining a vibrant community in which to raise our children and build our future.”

Just prior to joining the council, Esparza launched and led the All The Way Home campaign to end veteran homelessness in Santa Clara County at local nonprofit Destination: Home. She gained experience in government working for Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren and serving as chief of staff to then-Councilmember Nora Campos. The daughter of teachers, she grew up in San José, helping with her parents’ community organizing. Among her many affiliations, Esparza is the co-founder of Veterans Voices of Santa Clara County and the founding board president of Latinas Contra Cancer.

First elected: Nov. 6, 2018

Other offices held: Guadalupe-Coyote Resource Conservation District (2017-current); Franklin-McKinley School District (2012-2014)

Alma maters: San Jose State University (master’s degree, public administration); Mills College (bachelor’s degree)

Notable quote: “District 7 has been neglected for many years, and represents a great opportunity to build housing and transportation infrastructure outside—yet neighborhing— the downtown corridor.” (Source: ABC7)